Goodyear unveils Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

Feb. 3, 2009

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is the company's first off-road tire built with DuPont Kevlar for enhanced sidewall puncture resistance.

The tire was officially introduced yesterday, Feb. 2, during Goodyear's annual dealer meeting in Washington D.C.

"The use of Kevlar -- an innovative material that is, pound-for-pound, five times stronger than steel -- brings superb sidewall cut- and puncture-resistance to an area of the tire that demands extra toughness when driving off-road," say Goodyear officials.

The sidewalls of the Wranger MT/R with Kevlar will be 35% more puncture resistant than the tire's predecessor, the original Wrangler MT/R.

Other features include Tread Guards to help resist cuts from stones and other objects; Traction Blocks to help provide extra biting edges; a three-ply sidewall with opposing cord angles; and an asymmetric tread design for off-road traction as well as on-road handling, among others.

Each shoulder block on the tire is stepped "in and out to help give the tire continuous biting edges as it turns through thick mud."

The Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar will be available in 30 sizes next month.